SHIN, F/W 11

So, silly me, I thought that last night would be the end of my nomadic two weeks. However, we arrived home (?) to both a building and an apartment that smells like death*, which makes me wonder a) for whom the extermination chemicals are really meant, and b) why we haven't moved yet. Sigh. It was a good decision on my part any to leave my dear Viv jacket at my parents', where she has lived in safekeeping for the last two weeks. Well, it was actually a non-decision, as I simply forgot to grab her along with my nicely laundered bedding and clothing (which now all smell like death) before returning to what I thought would be a nice couple hours of unpacking before bed. 

Anyway, the one good thing that happened last night was a wee little email from my friends over at SHIN, who were kind enough to fulfill my request for their F/W 11 lookbook after seeing a preview on their website. Let me tell you, each and every one of these are pieces I'd gladly (but only momentarily) part with and send over to my parents' to keep ol' Viv company if it meant keeping them smelling fresh (i.e. not like death), thus allowing me to be both aesthetically and olfactorily pleasing to any passersby. Though I would be the most stylish nomad if I did wear them in the interim (i.e. while I'm in home limbo). And, having all the windows and doors open to air the place out does require a few warmer layers, of which I'm out of at the moment with my wardrobe sadly still in garbage bags...

 

 

Oh you delightful things, I could never put you in garbage bags...

*Please, I beg of you, do not associate SHIN with any odor less lovely than your favorite smell. Or garbage bags, for that matter. It is rather unfortunate that the F/W 11 lookbook reached me at such a time that my random musings would pair the smell of death with anything from Shinwon. Especially as I've been dreaming of owning my own SHIN piece since I first discovered the label, and even more so after seeing some SHIN leggings on my lovely NY host. So yes, think freshly cut wood, freshly cut grass, freshly baked bread, freshly opened original Skittles, freshly shone sunshine, freshly salted ocean...

Doors? Where we're going, we don't need doors...

One of the very few disappointments encountered on my NY trip was the fact that I didn't get to see any SHIN pieces up close at OAK, as I had arrived a week or two ahead of the expected fall/winter shipment. Really, I should've seen that coming, as it took me over an hour to actually find the store on Bond Street, and then another fifteen minutes to figure out how to open the door. And by 'figure out', I mean wait for someone to come out and realize that the door opened inwards, and not outwards. Have I mentioned that I'm a natural blonde? Sigh. At any rate, an email that showed up in my inbox today makes up for this hiccup a little bit (though I still might not want to show my face at that store again), as it contained a nice 10% off code to use in the SHIN online shop from now until November 8th. I really love all the little details Shinwon has put into these jersey and wool pieces, such as the back hem slits on the long sleeved tops, the thumbholes (something I'll never grow too old for), elbow slits, double layers, and attached scarves. 

Most of the pieces from the last collection are already marked down 25-50% off, and it wouldn't hurt to see if that 10% off code would work on top of that. Oh, right, the code is WINTER (you didn't think I'd leave you standing at the online door you were convinced was locked, did you?). Just think of all the acupuncture/beekeeping training sessions I can afford with the money I'll save...

Interview with Shinwon Yoon of SHIN

I have surely been in a New York state of mind these past few days/weeks/months. Since booking my trip eons ago, I've noticed that New York is in nearly every movie/book/magazine/website I look at. And now it's hard to believe that I will be embarking on this adventure in a mere 36(ish) hours. As I don't know if I'll have access to a computer during my stay (and my loaner flip phone is not very smart), I can't promise you any posts next week. And so I thought I'd leave you with the last interview of the summer (or at least of summer proper), with none other than a Brooklyn-based designer. FIT graduate Shinwon Yoon is the lovely lady behind SHIN, a fabulous drapey essential line which I am very much looking forward to seeing up close and personal in a few days. And as you've seen some of these SHIN pieces already here, I've intermingled some photos of places I shall be visiting during my stay. So it's almost like you're there with me, no? 

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How did you get into fashion design, and do you have a formal educational background in design?

I studied architectural design back in university and did an associate degree program for fashion design.

Do you wear your own designs?

Yes, all the time.

How does living in New York affect your designs and personal style?

I have to say everything around me in New York inspires me.  I am constantly affected by art, buildings and even people on the streets in New York.

What is your favorite thing about New York/Brooklyn that you would miss if you moved away?

Diversity. Of fashion, people, food, etc. 

What is your favorite experience as a designer so far?

To meet someone who actually loves my clothes and wears them a lot!

Which designer inspires you the most?

Yohji Yamamoto.

What album/musician has inspired your work the most?

Philip Grass; Massive Attack's "Heligoland".

Who would you most like to create an outfit for?

Matthew Barney.

What is your most favorite piece in your current collection?

100% Merino wool coat with scarf, which can transformed into different styles.

What are your future plans for SHIN?

Expand line more and debut at New York Fashion Week on the runaway.

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If you can't make it out to Oak on Bond Street, who should have the new F/W 10 collection as we speak, make sure you visit the SHIN online shop. Before I go, can anyone tell me what this building is in TVland? 

Have a great week folks!

That's SHINtastic

I wanted to post this as soon as I found it, but as it's basically a re-blog job, I thought I should wait a tad. Found via the Kingdom, Brooklyn-based designer Shinwon Yoon's label SHIN is one of the most exciting label finds for me since complexgeometries...especially as it reminds me of cg. Not only are there perfectly draped pieces just begging to be layered and mixed with my current wardrobe, but each SHIN piece is 100% cotton jersey, in either black or white. Also, many of the pieces are relatively reasonably priced (comparable to cg), especially as most (if not all) pieces are made in the US. Sizing is quite simple too, as it goes from XS to L, and apparently runs fairly true. In short, this label is entirely perfect for me, as these pieces and shapes are what I'd want to wear most days anyway. The wonderful Stefen from SHIN informs me that Oak on Bond Street should be receiving the new F/W 10 collection (see above) at the end of this month, so that's a definite stop for my trip (I hear they also got some SILENT by Damir Doma in...). Though there are a couple of gorgeous S/S 10 pieces (see below) still available in the SHIN online shop that I'd be more than happy to get...

I think this shot from the S/S 10 collection is my new favorite outfit. Simple, yes, but I've been striving for a more simple life as of late.